7 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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Roque, 11 others on ILBO– DOJ

By Nidz Godino

“Hence, we deem  issuance of  ILBO against subject persons in order to at least monitor  itineraries of their flight, travel and,or whereabouts,” order, signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla showed  immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. and 11 other persons of interest in  investigation on raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

In  three-page order, Remulla said Roque and 11 others “may attempt to place themselves beyond  reach of  legal processes of  DOJ by leaving the country.”

This is considering  gravity of  possible charges and  wide media coverage and public attention  case has gained over  past months.

Named in  ILBO were Roque; Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of  Porac POGO hub, and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, among others.

Ininterview with reporters, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mico Clavano explained ILBO is only  “monitoring mechanism” and is not meant to restrict  right to travel of  respondents.

Clavano said authorities would only be alerted if they leave or enter the country.

He stressed  reports Ong had already left  country and is in Singapore are one of the reasons  prompted  DOJ to issue  ILBO.

“Very goal here is to safeguard  integrity of  investigation…we don’t want that in the middle of  investigation, persons of interest will leave the country without us knowing,” Clavano said.

DOJ will also request  precautionary hold departure order against Roque, Ong and  others, if granted by  court, will bar  persons of interest from leaving the country.

In  statement, Roque slammed  ILBO as “plain harassment” and  “political witch hunt” meant to silence him as  critic of  Marcos administration.

“I expect they will up  ante following my call, posted on Facebook, to keep Malacañang drug-free after  damning revelations of eyewitness Cathy Binag,” Roque said.

He stressed he has “no reason” to leave the country and has committed to face his accusers and answer all allegations related to offshore gaming.

Former  government spokesman said  only evidence against him was his accompanying Ong to meeting with  Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for  rescheduling of arrears payment of Lucky South 99 and  uncorroborated organizational chart.

Chart  was that of Lucky South 99  listed him as legal head, but he has since said he was not involved in its preparation and did not consent to  inclusion of his name.

Roque has been facing congressional inquiries into  raided POGO hubs after he allegedly helped Lucky South 99,  raided firm in Porac, reapply for  license and settle their arrears.

7 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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Filing of complaint vs Guo agreed

By Nidz Godino

“We have no right to refuse,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia  said, although he has  assurance that  Comelec will not be deterred from running after unqualified candidates even after they win elections set to start  preliminary investigation that could pave  way for  filing of criminal charges against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for alleged misrepresentation.

In  memorandum order,  Comelec directed its law department to file motu proprio complaint and conduct  preliminary investigation into Guo’s mayoralty candidacy in 2022.

Garcia said  poll body’s law department would conduct  preliminary investigation to determine whether Guo misrepresented herself to be qualified to run in  mayoralty race despite being  foreign national.

Garcia said  investigation is expected to take two to three weeks, after  law department will submit its findings and recommendation to Comelec en banc.

He said  if commission finds probable cause, election offense charges would be filed against Guo before  Tarlac Regional Trial Court.

If ever, this would be first case of misrepresentation charges to be filed by  Comelec against candidate, according to Garcia.

Even if  criminal complaint is filed against Guo, Garcia said  Comelec still cannot prevent suspended mayor from filing her certificate of candidacy, possibly for  mayoralty race next year.

Last week,  Comelec law department recommended to the commission  filing of  complaint against Guo after  fact-finding probe revealed  fingerprints in her voting records and those in  records of  Chinese individual Guo Hua Ping in  National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration belong to the same person.

Meanwhile,  human trafficking complaint lodged against Guo and others has been submitted for resolution, according to Department of Justice.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said Guo and three other Chinese incorporators were not able to file their respective counter-affidavits and were no longer given another extension.

This means they have waived their right to answer allegations against them and  prosecutor will resolve  case based only on complaint.

“Prosecutor will resolve  case on basis only of complaint because  respondents failed to give their side to  allegations…prosecutor will only consider  complaint,” Clavano said in  interview.

The DOJ official, however, said  rest of  respondents were able to submit their counter-affidavits.

Guo, like in  two previous preliminary hearings, did not show up at  DOJ.

Meanwhile, three respondents, including former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, were granted  extension in filing their counter-affidavits.

Clavano said  among  reasons for granting  extension is  respondents are either out of the country, have changed counsel or only recently impleaded.

Next  preliminary hearing is set on Aug. 16.

Human  trafficking complaint was filed in connection with  raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Guo’s municipality, from where over 800 foreign nationals were rescued.

In another development,  House of Representatives on Monday moved to consolidate into one big committee  inquiries being undertaken by several panels in relation to illegal POGOs and  extrajudicial killings in the past administration.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., represents Pampanga’s third district, said  nation “is currently grappling with complex issues involving public order,  proliferation of dangerous drugs and human rights violations.”

“We must address these issues in  coordinated and timely manner to ensure justice and  rule of law,” he said, as Reps. Joel Chua (Manila’s third district) and Patrick Michael Vargas (Quezon City’s fifth district) filed House Resolution 1843, making as one three investigating House committees.

Chua and Vargas wanted  House committees on dangerous drugs, led by Surigao del Norte 2nd Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers; public order and safety, led by Laguna 1st District Rep. Dan Fernandez and human rights, led by Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante, to hold just one consolidated investigation to avoid overlapping functions.

“These individual inquiries by  three committees have been persistent and yet exhaustive…still, there are issues that are interwoven, entailing scrutiny into intricate details,” Gonzales said in his privilege speech.

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro then proposed  House committee on public accounts of Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano,  Luistro is  member, be included in HR 1843 joining  Barbers, Fernandez and Abante committees.

Proposals  were forwarded to rules committee, led by Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.

Separate  probes conducted by three separate committees “have shown  overlap or commonalities on individuals or resource persons that may be invited in the hearings,” according to Gonzales.

Another panel, committee on games and amusement chaired by Cavite 6th District Rep. Antonio Ferrer, is also investigating illegal POGOs.

“Joint investigation will enable us to conduct  more inclusive and thorough examination of these interlocking issues… coordinated effort will ensure  our findings are comprehensive and that our legislative recommendations are practical and encompassing,” Ferrer said. 

7 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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USCG, weather team helping oil spill response

By J.Lo

“They will lend their expertise maybe in  aftermath of  oil spill and  coastal management, while NOAA will advise us on the kind of weather and what would be  best strategy to apply given the kind of weather that we have in the country…they will be  ones that could help us in these aspects,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)  spokesman Armand Balilo said eight marine environmental and weather experts from  United States have arrived in Bataan to provide technical assistance to  ongoing recovery operations for three recent maritime incidents.

In  statement, PCG said  seven experts from US Coast Guard (USCG) and one from  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reached  Incident Command Post in Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan.

Porta Vaga Ship Management Group,  owner of  sunken motor tanker Terra Nova, meanwhile, denied allegations that they are involved in oil smuggling.

“Owners of MT Terra Nova categorically deny  allegations of smuggling and involvement in pa-ihi operations,” Porta Vaga said in  statement.

“Pa-ihi” is a process where oil from large vessels is transferred to smaller craft at sea to avoid paying taxes.

It pointed out that security measures, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, have been put in place on the ship to ensure that no illegal activities would take place on board while at sea.

“MT Terra Nova is equipped with  comprehensive CCTV system as part of  company’s proactive measures to prevent oil loss,” it said.

Shipping  company stressed, “since  commencement of its operations, there have been no records of oil loss claims or reports of abnormal losses filed against MT Terra Nova by any of its charterers.”

It also assured  public  it would cooperate in  investigations that would be conducted in connection with  sinking of its vessel in Limay, Bataan, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.

Shipping  company has also been meeting with local government officials of Cavite, Bataan and Bulacan to assess  impact and cost of oil spill, especially to families living in coastal towns who depend on fishing for  living.

Meanwhile, PCG Bataan station commander Lt. Comm. Michael John Encina said  Mary Jane Ubaldo,  identified operator of  sunken MV Mirola 1, has reportedly stopped coordinating with them on removal of its vessel.

He stressed  continual non-cooperation of Ubaldo would lead to  PCG removing  abandoned vessel and using it as payment for  services of  salvor.

PCG is required to remove all hazards in navigation and  marine environment under Republic Act 9993, and is mandated to send three letters to  operator.

Encina  have already sent one letter to Ubaldo and they are preparing to send another this week.

Bataan station commander declared that MT Jason Bradley would be refloated and brought to shore in Bataan by next week, provided there are no factors that may affect  operations such as bad weather and holes on ship’s hull.

Divers  from FES Challenger Salvour and Builders would lay down pipes that would be used to siphon  seawater that will make  Jason Bradley refloat today.

Activists and environmental groups will hold  rally today in protest of  oil spill that hit Manila Bay caused by  sinking of three vessels in Bataan.

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, demonstrators will march toward Don Chino Roces Bridge along Mendiola Street in Manila on Wednesday morning to protest  negligence of  administration of President Marcos in addressing  oil spill crisis.

Bataan province is now under  second state of calamity since Monday due to  threat of oil spill from  three capsized vessels.

Declaration  of  second state of calamity, under Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 328, is based on  environmental concerns of  oil spill and its effects on  livelihood of thousands, especially those dependent on fishing and tourism.

Threatened by  oil spill are nine of 11 towns and one city in Bataan adjacent to Manila Bay, namely Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar, Orion, Limay and Mariveles.

7 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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Headlines

Extra P5 B released for 4Ps grants

By J.Lo

“This will help in addressing  impact of inflation to poor Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P5 billion for  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Pangandaman has approved release of  fund to  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Additional  resource will cover last year’s 4Ps grants in arrears or late payments due to  deactivation or suspension of 4Ps beneficiaries comprising 703,888 households.

Flagship  4Ps program is  national poverty reduction strategy of the government.

“DBM will do its part to streamline budget processes so that our citizens benefit from faster and more efficient delivery of essential services such as our 4Ps,” she said.

Funds  will be sourced from last year’s continuing appropriations.

In his State of the Nation Address last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said over 420,000 households have graduated from 4Ps or assessed as self-sufficient.

Program  offers conditional cash transfers to poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education.

Data showed  implementation of  4Ps has covered  total of 3.98 million household beneficiaries across 41,676 barangays in the country. This is roughly 90 percent of 4.4 million target households of DSWD.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Isaiah 33:22

²² For the Lord is our judge,
    the Lord is our lawgiver,
the Lord is our king;
    it is he who will save us.

6 Agosto 2024, Martes

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Hse panel tax exempted donation to athletes

By Nidz Godino

“What that teaches us is that  prize is never won on the day of  competition itself, but years before…hard work, determination and sheer grit through many years of training wins over talent,” Rep. Joey Salceda said, recalling gymnast Carlos Yulo.

When Caloy was 12 years old  winning the Olympics was his “dream.”

Proposal to exempt from taxes donations and prizes for athletes joining international sports competitions has hurdled  House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means.

Panel chairman Salceda said House Bill 421, approved by his committee, “exempts not just  prizes that are handed out by brands and companies after win,” but also “donations toward their training one year before  competition.”

HB 421, originally dubbed  “Hidilyn Diaz Law” in  18th Congress (2019-2022), didn’t make it in  Senate.

Salceda said  measure should also be named in honor of gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in  ongoing Paris Olympics. Weightlifter Diaz won  country’s first gold medal in 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“It follows  philosophy I have espoused as Albay governor: rescue is  bad word, because there is no need for rescue when all preparations have been made…capacity is everything… approach is to incentivize not the prize, but  preparation…champions are not made overnight,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s committee also approved making  bill’s exemption “retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024.” 

Rep. LRay Villafuerte moved for  “plenary approval” of  measure, now called “Carlos Yulo bill.”  Senior  administration legislator was author of House Bill 8226, one of the six bills incorporated into  committee-passed substitute bill. 

“Yulo’s victory should prompt our sports officials to give  long hard look at giving priority to  development of relatively non-traditional sports like gymnastics to further sharpen our global edge in international sports competitions, if we sharpen our focus on sports disciplines like gymnastics and hire A-1 coaches and trainers from overseas to mentor our promising athletes, I am sure we will be able to produce more medalists like Caloy in international sports events like  Olympic games,”  Camarines Sur second district congressman said. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez is eyeing lifetime pension for Filipino athletes who have earned medals in  Olympics, apart from other benefits that they may be entitled to under  proposed legislation.

Romualdez made  proposal as he acknowledged  “immeasurable and priceless” achievements of Yulo and Diaz who won golds in separate Olympics season. 

Romualdez said while  nation may not be able to fully repay the two athletes for making Filipinos proud, “we can acknowledge their triumph by way of giving them benefits from  government.”

Lawmakers, he said, are studying possibility of “enhancing and increasing” government benefits to medalists in Olympics.

“And one of these is giving  lifetime pension to all Filipino Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists who all brought honor and pride to our country…this will start by  time they reach age of 40, or when they retire from their field of sport,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker  had already asked members of concerned House committees to initiate discussions on passing  bill that would “institutionalize” grant of more benefits, financial or otherwise, to Filipino Olympic medalists.

At the same time, Romualdez directed appropriate House committees to study amendments to  “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699),” to determine if  law needs to be updated to reflect needs of athletes and coaches.

He said giving more benefits to Filipino Olympic medalists would guarantee secure and brighter future for them, even after their retirement from  sports they excelled in.

Romualdez described gymnast Yulo as  “once-in-a-century Filipino athlete” following his exceptional double gold victory at  Paris Olympics. He first clinched gold in  men’s floor exercise on Saturday and followed it up with another gold in men’s vault on Sunday.

His victories marked  Philippines’ first and second Olympic medals in gymnastics and  country’s second and third gold medals since joining  Summer Games exactly a century ago, also held in Paris.

The Speaker praised Yulo’s achievements for “bringing immense pride and joy to the nation and showcasing  unparalleled talent and dedication of Filipino athletes on the global stage.”

“His remarkable performance at  Paris Olympics, winning double gold in both  floor exercise and vault, is  testament to his hard work, perseverance and exceptional skill,” Romualdez said of Yulo.

House of Representatives has pledged P3 million for gold medalists, P2 million for silver medalists and P1 million for bronze medalists.

With Yulo winning two gold medals, he will get  minimum incentive of P6 million from  House.

On top of this, Yulo will receive additional cash incentives from  fundraising campaign initiated by  Speaker among his colleagues in the chamber.

Yulo will also be conferred  congressional medal for his exceptional achievement and contribution to Philippine sports.

Earlier, Romualdez extended financial assistance to all 22 Filipino athletes participating in  Paris Olympics. 

6 Agosto 2024, Martes

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Legal action vs Yulo accusers

By J.Lo

“Public is hereby reminded that  sharing of these fake posts, as well as harsh and libelous comments made in said posts, are also actionable under  Anti-Cybercrime Law… advisable that public delete their comments to avoid prosecution,” lawyer Raymond Fortun said in  post Angelica Yulo,  mother of the two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo is considering filing charges against individuals who spread “fake posts” and post “libelous comments” against her.

In a statement Monday evening, Fortun said all posts against  Olympian’s mother are  “untrue, fake, and mere products of imagination and fantasy by heretofore unknown individuals.”

Fortun warned that  Yulo matriach will tap help of  National Bureau of Investigation to identify individuals posting  “harsh and libelous comments” before filing  charges. 

His statements were made in response to social media posts alleging  rift between Yulo and his mother over financial issues.

Under  Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act, libel is defined similarly to how it is in the Revised Penal Code (RPC) but committed through cyberspace.

Its penalty, however, has  one degree higher than what is mentioned in RPC. 

He also noted that the Yulo matriarch had given two media interviews about her son, but mentioned that these were edited, with only select portions being uploaded.

“It is regrettable, albeit expected, that only her comments regarding his relationship with Ms. San Jose were uploaded,” Fortun said.

One of the interviews the lawyer referred if from radio, where the Yulo matriarch mentioned that there rift between their family was caused by  Olympian’s girlfriend. 

“Finally, Mrs. Yulo and her family wish to assure  public that they share in  jubilation of  entire nation in  achievements of Carlos Edriel and look forward to welcoming him home,” Fortun said. 

In the evening of August 4, Yulo bagged  second gold medal of  Philippines in 2024 Paris Olympics.

Philippine government will award him P10 million and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor to be issued by the Philippine Sports Commission by virtue of Republic Act 10699 or National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Aside from government mandated incentives,  two-time gold medalist is also set to receive “gifts” from  country’s top tycoons and  P6 million cash incentive from House of Representatives.

6 Agosto 2024, Martes

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Hse believes drug syndicates use POGOs for money laundering

By Nidz Godino

“It seems  drug lords launder their money through POGOs… could be  direct link between POGOs and drug syndicates,” Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of  House committee on dangerous drugs, told reporters at  news briefing in Pampanga  House of Representatives believes  drug syndicates in the country use illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to launder dirty money, as proven by  series of investigations among several committees. “Why did I say that…because there are registered corporations whose incorporators are  same incorporators of  owner of  warehouse where P3.6 billion worth of drugs were seized in 2023,” he pointed out.According to Barbers, this simply means  Empire 99 owns  prohibited drugs in Mexico, Pampanga have similar “associates” with those in POGOs, where they have  “same set of incorporators.” “So, their interlocking incorporators is our link that they may be involved in illegal POGO operations, and this goes directly to businessman Michael Yang, whose brother remits money to  POGO in Bamban, Tarlac,” he explained further.Fernandez presented  detailed matrix linking several Chinese nationals, including Yang, to both alleged illegal POGO activities and drug operations.He revealed  Yang’s brother, Hong Jiang Yang, is  “incorporator” of Paili State Group Corporation, along with Rose Nono Lin and “Hong Ming Yang,” believed to be  Chinese name of Michael Yang.Fernandez then drew attention to  findings of  Anti-Money Laundering Council involving suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Fernandez further explained  links between Yang’s brother was established after having transactions with Guo totaling about P3.3 billion.Origin  and destination of all these funds still “remain unclear” to this day.“Come to think of it, Mayor Guo’s transactions alone reached P29 billion in her 36 accounts…so, how much more  other bank accounts of these other personalities?” Fernandez asked, emphasizing  scale of  billions of pesos in financial transactions among suspected drug traffickers.Barbers, along with chairman of  House committee on public order and safety Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales and several others, joined Speaker Martin Romualdez  in inspecting raided POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga. Romualdez  will help  Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. shut down POGOs with whatever legislation may be required. 

“It seems  drug lords launder their money through POGOs… could be  direct link between POGOs and drug syndicates,” Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of  House committee on dangerous drugs, told reporters at  news briefing in Pampanga  House of Representatives believes  drug syndicates in the country use illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to launder dirty money, as proven by  series of investigations among several committees. 

“Why did I say that…because there are registered corporations whose incorporators are  same incorporators of  owner of  warehouse where P3.6 billion worth of drugs were seized in 2023,” he pointed out.

According to Barbers, this simply means  Empire 99 owns  prohibited drugs in Mexico, Pampanga have similar “associates” with those in POGOs, where they have  “same set of incorporators.” 

“So, their interlocking incorporators is our link that they may be involved in illegal POGO operations, and this goes directly to businessman Michael Yang, whose brother remits money to  POGO in Bamban, Tarlac,” he explained further.

Fernandez presented  detailed matrix linking several Chinese nationals, including Yang, to both alleged illegal POGO activities and drug operations.

He revealed  Yang’s brother, Hong Jiang Yang, is  “incorporator” of Paili State Group Corporation, along with Rose Nono Lin and “Hong Ming Yang,” believed to be  Chinese name of Michael Yang.

Fernandez then drew attention to  findings of  Anti-Money Laundering Council involving suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. 

Fernandez further explained  links between Yang’s brother was established after having transactions with Guo totaling about P3.3 billion.

Origin  and destination of all these funds still “remain unclear” to this day.

“Come to think of it, Mayor Guo’s transactions alone reached P29 billion in her 36 accounts…so, how much more  other bank accounts of these other personalities?” Fernandez asked, emphasizing  scale of  billions of pesos in financial transactions among suspected drug traffickers.

Barbers, along with chairman of  House committee on public order and safety Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales and several others, joined Speaker Martin Romualdez  in inspecting raided POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga. 

Romualdez  will help  Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. shut down POGOs with whatever legislation may be required. 

6 Agosto 2024, Martes

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‘Very thin oil sheens’ detected from 2 vessels — PCG

By J.Lo

“BFAR regularly inspects  fish at Navotas fish port and conducts sensory evaluation, plus  fish delivered there came from other areas before distributing to other markets,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to monitor  “very thin oil sheens” seen from two of  three vessels  sank and ran aground off Bataan.

Oil spill booms are still present in the areas where tanker MT Terra Nova sank in Limay and where MV Mirola 1 beached on shores of Mariveles, according to  Coast Guard.

It said  PCG is performing “continuous repositioning and maintaining of oil spill booms” for  Terra Nova as well as “monitors oil spill booms and continues oil recovery and containment” on Mirola 1.

PCG reported  “presence of very thin oil sheens on ground zero” of Terra Nova.

Previously, PCG rated  oil spill from  sunken tanker at one liter per hour following  installation of canvas caps that sealed  valves of tanks containing estimated 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel.

It is also awaiting  fabrication and installation of metal caps that will replace  canvas caps within two weeks, according to  estimate given to  PCG by salvage company in charge of performing  upcoming siphoning operation for  Terra Nova.

Meanwhile,  PCG had “recovered 790 liters of oil-water mixture and five sacks of contaminated oil debris using absorbent pads” from MV Mirola 1 as of yesterday.

On the other hand,  PCG and another salvage company “continue salvage operations” for sunken tanker MT Jason Bradley, as they were preparing equipment and personnel on site as of yesterday.

“Divers prepare for pipe insertion by clearing debris,” PCG said.

Meanwhile,  ranking official of DA assured  public of safety of fish sold in the markets amid  drop in demand following  oil spill off Limay, Bataan.

At  press briefing, De Mesa said  fish at  Navotas fish port were examined by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

DA official noted that fish from  Navotas fish port came from Lucena, Quezon and other provinces and not from areas affected by oil spill.

“Fish sold in markets are guaranteed safe based on  assurance of  BFAR as  fishing ban is being implemented in areas affected by  oil spill,” he said.

At the same time, De Mesa assured  public of enough fish supply despite many areas being affected by  oil spill.

“As of now,  supply is not affected as based on latest data from our municipal ports,  catch is higher compared to the same period last year and those affected are not  major source,” he said.

He added  DA would provide  P3,000 fuel subsidy to help fisherfolk affected by  oil spill.

“We have  P500-million budget for  fuel subsidy,” De Mesa said.

He added BFAR would continue to provide relief assistance to areas affected by  oil spill after food packs were distributed to fisherfolk in Noveleta, Cavite over the weekend. 

6 Agosto 2024, Martes

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Headlines

15 cops probe over failure to get Quiboloy

By J.Lo

“These officers were relieved not for their abuses but for their failure to arrest Quiboloy and his co-accused,” Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil clarified during  Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs  15 police officers have been relieved for failing to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

Of the 15 cops, 12 were non-commissioned police officers.

Marbil  immediately directed  PNP Internal Affairs Service to conduct  impartial investigation to determine if any operational lapses or excessive force were committed during  police operation at Quiboloy’s compound in Davao in June.

He maintained police were simply doing their job in keeping with established procedures.

“It was  critical mission to execute  lawful warrant of arrest against  fugitives Quiboloy and five others in connection with non-bailable offenses of child abuse and qualified trafficking,” Marbil said.

He stressed  police operation was carried out with strict adherence to PNP operational procedures.

“Our guiding principle was to uphold human rights while executing our duties with  highest standards of professionalism and respect for  law,” Marbil said.

Marbil stated that members of KOJC chose to use women and children as human shields, obstructing and delaying  lawful actions of  police.

He also said  male members of the group were armed with bolos and other bladed weapons and engaged in violent confrontations with police officers.

At least six people and two minors were taken to police station but were released  same day for humanitarian reasons, according to Marbil.

Apprehended  individuals, however, face criminal charges for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.